At The Gates of Armageddon

[Neptis is driven back at what's now called the Armageddon Gates of the Imperial Capital]

"If you don't mind your majesty, I'll clean up in here." The Scribe said, bowing.

"Of course of course." Thazmug said shakily, finally getting to his feet. "Will I..." He paused, and looked directly at the Scribe. "No. I will."

The Scribe stayed in the room for some time, carefully rolling the massive scroll back up in preparation for the 97th Eternal Emperor. As he finished, she finally arrived. Not in her usual noisy arrivals, but simply stepping out of a shadow in the corner of the room.

"How did he take it, Sandstone?" Neptis asked, leaning against the wall. Her voice was soft, with none of the usual bluster or firmness it usually held.

"Haven't been Sandstone in a long time, Miss Neptis." He answered, placing the pitcher and stone cup back in the compartment he removed them from earlier. "But then, you and the 86th Emperor chose me for this position for a reason, didn't you?"

"How. Did. He. Take. It." Neptis repeated, punctuating each word.

"Like he was there. He understands perfectly the threat of war without reason."

"Sometimes youth does strange things, Sandstone." Neptis said, drumming her fingers on the wall. "So he understands war?"

"More than that. But seeing the future is the domain of Lady Eigengrau, not either of us. Until next time?"

"I got a few minutes." Neptis walked over to the scroll. "Still impressed they wrote it all down, to be honest." She rested her hand on the scroll and exhaled slightly as it glowed black for a brief moment. "It was written with fear, you know."

Sandstone crossed his arms. "Of course it was."

"Ah, it doesn't matter anymore." Neptis said, taking her hand off it. "Go have some fun, that's an order."

Neptis turned and she was gone.